Figure 2. Schematic figure of antifreeze protein (AFP) ice inhibition via the Gibbs–Thomson effect.
(A) A mixture of AFP and non-AFP proteins ahead of a growing ice front. (B) AFPs selectively bind to the ice, while non-AFPs are excluded. AFP adsorption to the ice surface subdivides into smaller growth fronts which increases local curvature. If the induced curvature of the new ice fronts is less than the critical radius (R) of an ice embryo at a given temperature then the ice remains in equilibrium with the melt.